Ireland Men’s Hockey Squad Announced for FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Chile
Mark Tumilty, head coach of the Ireland men’s hockey team, has named a 20-player squad to compete in the FIH World Cup qualifiers in Santiago, Chile, from March 1st to 8th. RTÉ and Hockey.ie confirmed the squad selection on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.
The Road to the 2026 Hockey World Cup
Ireland will face Canada, Korea, and Poland in Pool B, aiming to secure a coveted spot at the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The Green Machine last participated in the World Cup eight years ago in India. The tournament will take place from March 1st to 4th.
Squad Breakdown
The squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent. Jaime Carr will be the starting goalkeeper, continuing his strong form with both the Irish national team and his Belgian club, Gantoise. Luke Roleston will serve as the backup goalkeeper.
Defensive Lineup
The defensive core will be led by Kyle Marshall, Peter McKibbin, Mark McNellis, and Sam Hyland. Lee Cole, Luke Witherow, and Fergus Gibson will provide support from the full-back positions. Greg Williams, who impressed at the FIH Hockey World Cup in India with the Ireland U21s, scoring six goals, also joins the squad.
Midfield Strength
Sean Murray and Peter Brown will anchor the midfield, with Johnny McKee, Jonny Lynch, and Adam McAllister contributing to the transition from defense to attack.
Attacking Force
Jeremy Duncan, nearing his 150th international cap, will lead the forward line. He will be supported by Matthew Nelson, Ben Walker, Ali Empey, and Louis Rowe.
Coach Tumilty’s Confidence
“The squad have worked exceptionally hard to ensure we are in the best position to earn qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup,” said Head Coach Mark Tumilty. “We have a very strong group travelling to Chile whom I have the upmost confidence in to get the job done. Our objective is simple: return to the FIH Hockey World Cup.”
Match Schedule (Irish Time)
- March 1st: Ireland v Canada (3:00 PM)
- March 3rd: Ireland v Korea (2:15 PM)
- March 4th: Ireland v Poland (12:00 PM)
- March 6-8: Crossover Matches (semi-finals, final and ranking games)
Full Squad List
- Jaime Carr
- Luke Roleston
- Greg Williams
- Luke Witherow
- Fergus Gibson
- Lee Cole
- Kyle Marshall
- Mark McNellis
- Sam Hyland
- Peter McKibbin
- Peter Brown
- Johnny McKee
- Adam McAllister
- Sean Murray
- Jonny Lynch
- Jeremy Duncan
- Ben Walker
- Matthew Nelson
- Louis Rowe
- Ali Empey